Miniature airplane



Dec. 1, 1942. J'. E; @RM1 2,303,632

MINIATURE AIRPLANE Filed oct. 21, 1941 sheets-sheet 1 l INVENTOR.

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Dec. 1, 19.42. J. E. GRANT I v 2,303632l `MINIATURE AIRPLANE Filed Oct. 2l, 1941 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Si so L@ INVENTOR. J.E.Grc1n+ B?" oga- Dec. 1, '1942. i J. E. GRANT 2,303,632

MINIATURE AIRPLANE Filed Oct. 21, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1N VENTOR.

Y Ergnf Dec, l, 1942.

J. E. GRANT MINIATURE AIRPLANE Filed oct. 21, 1941 '4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Dec. l, 1942 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFlCE MINIATURE .AIRPLANE Joseph E. Grant, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Application October 21, y1941, Serial No. 415,930

(Cl. Li6-'76) 19 Claims.

This invention relates to miniature airplanes.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved miniature airplane wherein the supporting frame for the airplane is made of paper or other exible material.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an airplane including an airfoil wherein the body and spars are each made of paper folded to shape.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel airfoil. y

An additional object of my invention'is to provide a novel airplane wing beam.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel blank for use in making an 'airplane wing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel fuselage for an airplane.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following speciiication taken in connection with the accom- `panying drawings wherein;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a blank show ing my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top-view'on an enlarged scale showing an airfoil embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan View of a spar member used with my invention;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the spar member shown in Fig. 3; i

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on line 5 5, Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6 6, Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of an airplane embodying the invention;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation ofthe airplane;

Fig. 9 is an extended view on an enlarged scale partly in elevation and partly in section' showing the invention;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevation partly in section showing a rudder and stabilizer member;

Fig. 10A is a fragmentary section taken onV line (0A-IBA, Fig. 10;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line I i-I I, Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a section taken on line I2-l2 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing a fuselage embodying a single member.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a modified blank;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view with parts broken away showing an airplane made from the modified blank;

Fig. 16 is a section taken on line I6-I6,

Fig. 15;

Fig. -1'7 is a section taken on line'- I'I--I'I, Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a plan view showing the brace member; and

Fig. 19 is a section taken on 'linel- I9-l'9,.

Fig. 15.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, I have shown at I0 in Fig. 1 a blank embodying the features of my invention. This;

blank is preferably made of a single sheet of paper or similar material and includes a body portion Il and` rib forming portions I2 all of which are integral. i

The body portion I I as shown is provided with four slits arranged in two parallel sets asindicated at IS, It, I5 and IB. The slits I3 land I5 constitute one pair and the slitsv I4 and I6 con-y stitute a second pair. Ends of the slits are spaced apart as indicated at I6 and the slits extend through the rib portions I2 and to the ends of the blank.

The body portion I I is provided with transverse score lines I'I and the rib forming members I2 are providedwith longitudinally extending score lines i8. The rib portions I2 extend in front 'of and to the rear of the body portion Ii andY they are each provided with integral tabs I9 whichmay be attached to a coveringito be later described) to form a wing I9'. The rib forming Amembers are of such a size as to provide a correct In the assemblyv of the vwing I9lr the blank shown in Fig. 1 is folded on the score lines I'I and i8 to provide a plurality of V-shaped grooves 25, as shown in Fig. 5. After this is done one of the spar members 22 is inserted in the slits I3 and- I5, and the base 23 of this spar member is ar-` ranged substantially ush lwith the crest of the Vs. ,A second spar member is then inserted in the slits I4 and I5 with the base of the second spar member substantially flush with the bottom of the crests of the V members.

In this way an interlocking assembly is provided which then receives a covering 26. This covering is connected to the tops and bottoms of the Vs and is connected to the bases 23 of the two spar members and is also connected to the tabs I9 and 2| so that the parts are firmly connected. The top covering may be slightly shorter than the bottom covering so that the two halves of the wing will incline slightly toward the center to form a dihedral angle. The front and rear edges of the wing may receive a binding strip 21 and a binding strip 28 may be placed in the ends of the wing.

The wing I9 is preferably mounted on a fuselage which is indicated generally at 39 and is best shown in Fig. 9. This fuselage consists of an upper member 3| and a lower member 32. These members are complemental kone to the other and each consists of a body made of a strip of paper folded to form V-shaped portions 33 similar to the V-shaped portion previously described. The portions 33 however are of gradually decreasing size from the front to the rear.

Extending inwardly from one edge thereof, each member 33 (see Fig. 12) is provided with a slit 34 and a companion slit 35. In the slits 34 and 35 I arrange a spar member 3S which is of general U-shape including a base 31 and a pair of legs with one leg 38 longer than the other leg 39. The leg 38 is inserted in the slit 35 and the leg 39 is inserted in the slit 34. On its opposite edge each portion 33 includes a pair of slits 40. A spar member 4I having legs 42 and a base 43 is positioned with the legs 42 in the slits 49.

At the front and rear of the body the legs 38 and 39 are slitted as at 45 to provide a series of tongues which are overlapped with the overlapping portions glued together. This overlapping arrangement permits the spar members to be bent into the curved form shown.

The two complemental members SI and 32 are arranged in back to back relation and a covering 44 is arranged over the two members to hold them in assembled position. After the fuselage is constructed, the wing is held thereon by snapping a rubber band 41 over the assembled parts as shown in Figs. '7 and 8.

In order to provide a tail structure for the airplane, I provide a rear member indicated at 43 in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. This member 48 is similar to the wing previously described and supports a pair of spaced rudders 49. Each of these rudders consists of a body 53 made from a blank and bent to form V-sha-ped portions I. The crests of the Vs on both sides of the body are provided with pairs of slits 52. The slits 52 as shown in Fig. 11 extend inwardly. A U-shaped spar member 53 is arranged on each side of the body with the legs of the spar members inserted in the slits 52 and with the bases of the spar members extending across the body and contacting only the tops of the crests. The sets of slits on the two sides of the body are in staggered relation and the spar members are consequently staggered when in place. The front and rear edges of the body 50 are provided with slits 54 and 55 and the portions of the crests of the body 59 adjacent these slits are slightly flattened so that the crests are tapered towards the edges as indicated at 56 and 51 in Fig. 1l. The slits 54 and 55 allow this flattening or tapering of the crests since in assuming the position shown in Fig. 11 the flaps defined by the slits 54 and 55 are permitted to slightly overlap. A binder 51" is glued over the flaps 51 to hold them in overlapping relation.

At the lower portion of the body 5I) on each side thereof I show a brace 58 which engages and is glued to the base of the adjacent spar member 53 and extends downwardly and is glued to the crests of the adjacent V-shaped members so that a reinforcement is provided. The entire rudder is provided with a cover 58 which may be glued in place.

To secure the members 58 in place thc spar members 53 are extended a slight distance into the adjacent tail member 48 as indicated at 59 in Fig. 10. The upper surface of the member 48 is suitably apertured to receive the members 59. Flanges 60 may be secured to the lower surface of the bodies 58 and to the upper surface of the members 48 to aid in holding the parts together.

In Fig. 13 I show a fuselage 44' which is made of a single member 3I' instead of two members as shown in Fig. 12. In Fig. 13 similar parts are designated by similarly primed reference characters.

In Figs. 14 to 19 I show a modification of my invention wherein the device includes an airplane indicated generally at 18 and made from a blank 1I as disclosed. Asshown, the blank is made from a single piece of paper and includes wing forming end portions 12 and intermediate fuselage portions 13.

The wing portions 12 are provided with slits 14 arranged in two parallel sets and with transverse score lines 15. The slits 14 are similar to slits I3, I4, I5 and I6 previously described and the score lines 15 correspond to the score lines I 1 previously described. The fuselage forming portion 13 corresponds to the portions I2 previously described and the portion 13 is provided with a longitudinal score line 18.

The portion.13 is provided with spaced slits 11. The score line 15 is continued between the slits 11 to form a pair of tongues 19. The material is creased along the lines at the roots of the tongues 19.

In forming the airplane from the blank shown, the material is folded along the score lines 15, 13, 18 and 88 to the position shown in Fig. 16 sol that a plurality of V-grooves SI are provided in the wing portions and a deep V-groove 82 is provided in the fuselage portion. The tongues 19 provide an aperture 83 in each side of the fuselage in the finished airplane. A flap 84 is glued to the material at each end of the apertures 83. This flap 84 bridges the apertures.

In the slits 14 I arrange spar members 85 which are similar to the spar members 35 and 4I previously described.

To hold the fuselage 13 in proper position I provide a reinforcing member shown in blank form in Fig. 18 and which includes a body 85 having end tongues 81 thereon. The body 88 and the end tongues 81 are provided with score lines 88 to define flaps 89 on the tongues and flaps 98 on the body. In the finished construction the body 86 spans the top of the fuselage and the tongues 90 are secured to the adjacent V-portions of the wings. These tongues are suitably notched as at 9| to receive the spar members.

The tongues 31 are bent within the fuselage member 13 and are glued in place as shown in the drawings.

After the device is completed, a suitable cov-l ering 92 is secured to the tops of the V-members to thus form a complete miniature airplane.

The portion 13 is provided with pairs of aligned tongues 93 which in the nished structure overlap and are glued together to form a reinforcement for the fuselage.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have invented a novel miniature airplaneiwhich can-be economically manufacgated body having transversely extending integral grooved portions, said grooved portions having aligned slits therein, a spar lmember in said slits and a cover secured over said grooved portions, and over said spar.

2. I n an airplane wing, an elongated body bent to form a plurality of substantially V-shaped portions, said V-shaped portions each having a pair of spaced slits therein, each of said slits extending downwardly from one face of the associated V-shaped portion and terminating short of the opposed face of the associated V-shaped portion, an elongated spar member havingv portions thereon inserted in said slits, and a covering secured over the body.

3. In a device of the class described, a body part'consisting of a plurality of connected substantially V-shaped portions, ri-bs on certain of said V-shaped portions, said ribs extending rearwardly and forwardly, said substantially V-shaped `portions having slits therein, spar reinforcing members in said slits and a cover on said airfoil.

4. In a device of the class described, an elongated body part consisting of a plurality of transversely extending integral substantially V-shaped portions, certain of said V-shaped portions being Y extended rearwardly and forwardly, the extended portions being shaped to provide ribs, said V- shaped portions having longitudinal slits therein, U-shaped spar members in said slits and a cover secured over said V-shaped portions, and over z said ribs and said'spars. Y

5. In an airplane wing, a one piece body including a plurality of rib forming portions and integral .connecting portions, said rib forming portions and said connecting portions Vbeing transversely bent to form a plurality of substantially V-shaped portions, said rib forming portions and said substantially V-shaped portions each having a pair of spaced slits therein, eachvof said slits extending downwardly from one face of the associated portion and terminating short of the opposed face of the associated portion, an elongated U-shaped spar member having the legs thereof inserted in said slits, the spar member having its base flush with the top of the Vs and a covering secured to the ribportions and to the V-shaped portions and to the bases of the spar member.

6. In an airplane wing, anelongated body bent to form a plurality of V-shaped portions, said V- shaped portions having a pair of spaced slits extending downwardly from the top thereof and terminating short of the bottom thereof, said V- shaped portions having another pair of slits extending upwardly from the bottom thereof and terminating short of lthe top thereof, a pair of elongated U-shaped spar members, one of said spar members having the legs thereof inserted in said first pair of slits and the other spar member having the legs thereof inserted in the other pair of slits, the spar members telescoping one within the other, and a covering secured over the body.

'7. In an airplane wing, an elongated body bent toform a plurality of V-shaped portions, said V- shaped portions having a pair of spaced slits extending downwardly from the top thereof and terminating short of the bottom thereof, said V-shaped portions having another pair of slits extending upwardly from the bottom thereof and terminating short of the top thereof, a pair of ber having the legs thereof inserted in the other pair of slits, the spar members telescoping one within the Vother, the upper spar member having its base flush with the top of the Vs and the lower` spar member having its base ush with the bottom of the Vs, rib forming members on certain ofy said V-shaped portions and a covering secured over the body.

8. In an airplane wing, a body including a plurality of rib forming portions and connecting portions, said rib portions being transversely bent to form a plurality of substantially V-shaped'portions, said portionshaving a pair of spaced slits extending downwardly from the top thereof and terminating short of the bottom thereof, said portions having a second pair of slits extending upwardly from the bottom thereof and terminating short of the top thereof, a pair of elongated U- shaped spar members, one of said spar members having the legs thereof inserted in said first pair of slits and the other rail member having the legs thereof inserted in the other pair of slits, the

upper spar member having its base flush with the top of the Vs and the lower spar member having its base flush with the bottom of the Vs and a covering` secured to the tops and bottoms of the 9. In an airplane wing,'a one piece body including a plurality of rib forming portions and integral connecting portions, said rib forming portions and said connecting portions being `transversely bent to form a plurality of substantially V-shaped portions, said rib forming portionsand said substantially V-shaped portions having a pair of spaced slits extending downwardly from the top thereof and terminating short of the bottom thereof, `said rib forming portions and said substantially V-shaped portions having a second pair of slits extending upwardly from the bottom thereof and terminating short of the top thereof, a pair of elongated U-shaped spar members, one of said spar members having the legs thereof inserted in said first pair of slits and the other spar member having the legs thereof inserted inthe other pair of slits, the spar members telescoping'one within the other, the upper spar member having itsbase flush with the top of the Vs and the lower spar member having its base flush withv the bottom of the Vs and a covering secured to the tops and bottoms of the rib forming portions and to the tops and bottoms of the-V-shapedrportions and to the bases of the spar members, said ribs having tongues thereon engaging said covering.

10. In an airplane fuselage, ya body member includinga strip bent to form a plurality of substantially vV-shaped portions, said V-shaped portions having a pair of 4spaced slits extending downwardly from the top thereof and terminating short of the bottom thereof, said V-shaped, portions'V having a second pair of slits extending upwardly from the bottomthereof, a pair of elongated U-shaped spar members, one of said spar members having the legs thereof inserted in said `first pairV of slits and the other spar member having the legs thereof inserted in the other pair of slits, and a :covering secured to the tops and elongated U-shaped spar members, one of said 75 members.' -V 11.In an, airplane fuselage, apal 0f bOdy 'members each body member including a strip spar Vmembers having' the legs'thereof inserted in said first'pair'of slits and the other spar membentto form a plurality ofA substantially V-shaped-` portions, Vsaid V-shaped portions having a pair of spaced slits extending downwardly from the top thereof and terminating short of the -bottom thereof, said V-shaped portionshaving a second pair of slits extending upwardly from the bottom thereof, a pair of elongatedU-shaped spar members, one of said spar-members having the legs thereof inserted in said rst pair of slits and the other spar member having the legsthereof inserted in the other pair of slits, and a covering secured to the tops of the V-shaped portions and to the bases of the spar members, the bottoms of thebody members being secured together.

12. In an airplane fuselage, a pair of body members each body member including aj strip bent to form a plurality of substantially V-shaped portions, said V-shaped portions having a pair of' spaced slits extending downwardly from the top thereof and terminating short of the bottom thereof, said V-shaped portions having a second pair of slits extending upwardly from the'bottom thereof, 'a pair of elongated U-shaped sp-ar members, one of said spar members having the legs therecf'inserted in said first pair of slits and the other spar Ymember having the-legs thereof inserted in the other pair of slits, the upper sparmember having' its base flush with the top of the VsA and the lower spar member having its Vbase flush with the bottom of the Vs and a covering secured to the tops of the V-shaped portions and to the bases of the spar members, the bottoms of the body members being secured together.

13. Inan airplane, a lpair of body members each bodymember including a strip bent to form a plurality of substantially V-shaped portions, said V-shaped portions havinga pair of spaced slits extendingdownwardly from the top thereof and terminating short-of the bottom thereof, said .V- shaped portions having a second pair of slits extending upwardly from the bottom thereof. a pair of elongated U-shaped spar members, one of said spar members-having the legs thereof inserted in said rst pair of slits and the other pair of slits, one of the spar members having one leg extending to a'locationv adjacent to the other spar member, the upper spar member having its base flush with the top of the Vs and the lower spar member having its base flush with the bottom of the Vs and a covering secured to the tops of the V- shapedportions and to the bases of the spar members, thebottoms of the bodylmembers being secured together, kand a wingr on the fuselage.

14. in anairplane, a fuselage, ka wing on the fuselage, aftail construction on the fuselage, said tail: construction including an airfoil having a pair of lrudders thereon, eachrudderV including av strip bent to form a plurality of` substantially V- shaped portions, each of said V-shaped portions having spaced slits extending inwardly from the crests of the Vs, an elongated spar memberlincluding portions inserted in` said slits, and. a covering secured to the tops and bottoms ofthe V-shaned portions and to the spar members'.

15. In-arudderfor an airplane, a strip bentto form aplurality of substantially V-shapedv'por.- tions, said V-shaped portions each having a pair of spaced slits therein, each of said slits extending from one edge of the associated V-shaped portion and terminating short of the other side edge of the associated V-shaped portion, said V-shaped portions having a second pair of slits extending from the other side thereof, a pair of elongated U-shaped spar members, one of said sparmembers having the legs thereof inserted insaid.

first pairof slits and the other vspar member; having the legs thereof inserted'in the-other pair of slitsthe spar members having their bases flush with thetop of theVs, a covering secured to the tops and bottoms of theV-shaped-portions and to the bases of the spar members, and afre-` enforcing member engaging the lower outer face of each rudder.

16. In an airplane, a fuselage, a wing on the fuselage, a tail construction on the fuselage, said tail construction including an-airfoil having apair of rudders thereon,'each rudder includinga strip bent to form a plurality of substantially V-shaped portions, said V-shaped portions having a pair of spaced slits extending from one side thereof and terminating short of the other side thereof, said V-shaped portions .having a second, pair of slits'extending from'the other sidethereof, a pair of elongated U-shaped spar members, one of said spa-r members having the legsthereof inserted in said first pair of slits and theother: spar member having the legs thereof, inserted invthe other pair ofrslits, the spar members having their bases iiush with the top of the Vsa coveringsecured tothe tops and bottoms of the` VI shapedpo-rtions and to the bases of the spar members, sai-d airfoil having spaced holes therein, one of the spar members of each pair extending beyond the rudder,4 the extending part of the spar members being inserted in said spaced holes and a reenforcing member engaging the lower -outer face of'each rudder.

17. In anairplane, a body member includinga strip bent to form a relatively large intermediate substantially V-shaped portion and apluralityof smaller V-shaped portions at theendsof the intermediate portion, said end V-shaped portions havinga pair of spaced slits extending down-v` wardly .from one side thereof andterminating- 18. In an airplane, a body member1 includinga.

strip bent to form an. intermediate relatively wide and deep substantially V-shape'd fuselage form-` ing portion and a plurality of relatively. narrow and shallow substantially V-shaped wing forming portions, all of said V-shaped portions havingfa pair of spaced slits extending downwardly from the tops thereof and terminatingshort of the bottom thereof, said V-shaped portions'having a second pair of slits extending upwardly from the bottom thereof, a pair of elongated U-shaped spar members, one of said spar members having the legs thereof inserted in said first pair of slits and the other spar member having the legs thereof inserted in the other pair of slits, and a covering secured to the tops and bottoms of all `of the roving V-shaped portions and to the spar memers.

19. In an airplane, a body including. a strip* V-shaped portions having a second pair of slitsA extending upwardly from the, bottom thereof, a

pair of elongated Uv-shaped spar members, one of said spar members.havingthelegs thereof in-A V-shaped portion projecting forwardly and rearwardly beyond the end V-shaped portions and a `:reinforcing member secured to said intermediate portion, and a covering secured to the tops and bottoms of the end V-shaped portions and to `the bases of the spar members. l

JOSEPH E. GRANT. 

